AC power outletPowers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier.

Powers devices with a regular home electrical outlet. Limited wattage: forget about using it to power a blow drier.

Adaptive cruise control, all-speedAutomatically maintains set distance behind preceding vehicle as well as set speed. Can bring vehicle to a complete stop then accelerate back up to set speed. Replaces regular adaptive cruise control, and includes its value.

Automatically maintains set distance behind preceding vehicle as well as set speed. Can bring vehicle to a complete stop then accelerate back up to set speed. Replaces regular adaptive cruise control, and includes its value.

Cruise control

Heated steering wheel

Power front side windowsOften must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.

Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.

Power locks

Power rear side windows

Proximity keyEnter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket.

Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket.

Remote appCheck on car and remotely control various functions (remote start, locks, lights, and/or HVAC) from a telephone or computer. Usually requires a monthly fee, though often as part of a package of telematics services.

Check on car and remotely control various functions (remote start, locks, lights, and/or HVAC) from a telephone or computer. Usually requires a monthly fee, though often as part of a package of telematics services.

Remote keyless entryUnlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.

Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.

Remote startStart the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in.

Start the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in.

Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual

Universal garage door openerHomelink.

Homelink.

Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety

4-wheel disc brakesRear disc brakes.

Rear disc brakes.

AlarmOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.

Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.

Antilock brakes (ABS)Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.

Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.

Blind spot warning systemMirror-mounted lights indicate when another vehicle is in a blind spot.

Mirror-mounted lights indicate when another vehicle is in a blind spot.

Brake assistWhen a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.

When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.

Cross-traffic warning, rearWarns of traffic coming from either direction when vehicle is in reverse, to prevent accidents when backing out of parking spaces.

Warns of traffic coming from either direction when vehicle is in reverse, to prevent accidents when backing out of parking spaces.

Following distance indicatorIndicates number of seconds behind preceding car.

Performance braking system (optional)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.

Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.

Radar- or camera-based collision preparation systemPrepares brakes (and sometimes also seat belts) for use when radar detects an imminent collision. Might also move seats and close windows. Early Lexus system used laser.

Prepares brakes (and sometimes also seat belts) for use when radar detects an imminent collision. Might also move seats and close windows. Early Lexus system used laser.

Rear side airbagsTorso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags.

Torso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags.

App supportTouchscreen and/or voice control over apps that can include online search, Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, OpenTable, and MovieTickets.com. Requires connected compatible phone. Fees may apply after first three years.

Touchscreen and/or voice control over apps that can include online search, Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, OpenTable, and MovieTickets.com. Requires connected compatible phone. Fees may apply after first three years.

Apple CarPlay supportRequires compatible Apple iPhone.

Requires compatible Apple iPhone.

Audio controls on steering wheel

Automatic climate control, frontMaintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.

Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.

Aux inputJack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car.

Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car.

Bluetooth cell phone linkEnables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers.

Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers.

CD player

Dual-zone climate controlTemperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.

Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.

Interior air filterFilters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.

Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.

MP3-compatible playerAudio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.

Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.

Navigation systemScreen-based navigation system.

Screen-based navigation system.

Rear air ventsVents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling.

Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling.

Rear defrost

Rear heat ductsDucts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.

Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.

Satellite radioXM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.

XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.

SMS text-to-speech readerConverts text messages to speech.

Converts text messages to speech.

Telematics service, such as OnStar, with navigationIn-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system plus turn-by-turn navigation (no map display). For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 6-12 months.

In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system plus turn-by-turn navigation (no map display). For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 6-12 months.

USB portOften permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls.

Often permits an iPod or phone to be integrated into the vehicle's entertainment system and controls.

Variable intermittent wipersTime between wipes can be precisely adjusted.

Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted.

Voice control for audio systemSometimes also includes voice control over climate control system.

Automatic start / stopAutomatically cuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and restarts it when the driver lifts off the brake pedal. Not listed for hybrids, where it is generally part of the powertrain system.

Automatically cuts off the engine when the vehicle is stopped and restarts it when the driver lifts off the brake pedal. Not listed for hybrids, where it is generally part of the powertrain system.

Engine-block heaterPlugs into electrical outlet to warm up the engine. Facilitates starting in extreme cold.

Plugs into electrical outlet to warm up the engine. Facilitates starting in extreme cold.

Limited-slip rear differentialWhen one rear wheel spins, the differential locks up, sending power to the wheel with better traction.

When one rear wheel spins, the differential locks up, sending power to the wheel with better traction.

Seats and Interior Trim

Front buckets

Front sport buckets

Second-row 2-section 3-person split bench

All-weather floor matsAll-weather floormats.

All-weather floormats.

Center armrest(s), front row

Center armrest(s), second row

Door sill trim plates

Floor mats

Folding second row seatsSeat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.

Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.

Heated front seats

Leather seating surfacesSeating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.

Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.

Polished alloy wheelsAlloy wheels highly polished to yield an almost chrome-like finish. In the past valued more highly than regular alloy wheels. But the term is used so broadly lately, often meaning that only some of the wheel face is machined, that they have the same defau

Alloy wheels highly polished to yield an almost chrome-like finish. In the past valued more highly than regular alloy wheels. But the term is used so broadly lately, often meaning that only some of the wheel face is machined, that they have the same defau

Sport suspension (upgrade)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.

Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.

Variable assist steering (optional)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.

Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.

Wheel locksLug nuts that can only be removed using a special key. Prevents theft of wheels.

Lug nuts that can only be removed using a special key. Prevents theft of wheels.